FG approves N4.8bn for HIV/AIDS treatment

The federal executive council (FEC) has approved an allocation of N4.5 billion for the procurement of HIV treatment packs to supportNigerians living with HIV/AIDS.

The approval by FEC comes after the US government granted an emergency humanitarian waiver, reversing a previous funding pause on HIV treatment in developing countries—including Nigeria.

The pause was initially ordered under an executive directive by President Donald Trump as part of a broader review of foreign aid.

Nigeria has been heavily reliant on international assistance for HIV initiatives, particularly from the US president’s emergency plan for AIDS relief (PEPFAR).

The federal government’s approved budget will facilitate the procurement of 150,000 treatment packs over four months.

This initiative aims to provide immediate relief and demonstrate Nigeria’s intent to build a more sustainable domestic financing model for health interventions.

Speaking on the approval on Monday after the FEC meeting, Ali Pate, minister of health and social welfare, said it underscores Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring continuous access to life-saving treatment for individuals affected by the virus.

“This allocation is critical for ensuring that those living with HIV continue to receive necessary treatments without interruption,” Pate said.

The minister said the FEC also set up a committee with membership drawn from the ministries of finance, budget, defence, environment and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to come up with a sustainability plan.

“This is about ensuring that no Nigerian loses access to treatment during this period of adjustment,” he said.

Speaking on the recent US policy changes, Pate said while Nigeria appreciates the contributions of the American government over the last 20 years, it is now focused on transforming its health sector, using national systems and domestic financing.

Pate announced that the FEC has also approved the HOPE (human capital opportunities for prosperity and equity) programme, a $1 billion initiative aimed at enhancing governance and strengthening primary healthcare systems across the country.

“This programme is very much in line with the direction of this administration—to focus on investing in the human capital of Nigerians. People are at the centre of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the minister said.

He added that the funding, developed in collaboration with the International Development Association (IDA), allocates $500 million for governance improvements and another $500 million to enhance primary healthcare.

The minister noted that the governance component will incentivise states to recruit and train teachers and healthcare workers, while the healthcare portion will expand primary healthcare services, improve quality, and boost resilience.